Draft budget includes full $5 million for Wrangell’s Byford Junkyard cleanup

In a session last night, the House Finance Committee allocated $2.5 million for Wrangell’s Byford Junkyard cleanup. With the Senate Finance Committee’s allocation, that means SB 142 now includes $5 million to help ship tons of contaminated soil off of Wrangell Island. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation had pegged $5 million as the amount needed for a complete off-island cleanup.

The House Finance Committee will hear amendments to SB 142 this afternoon. The bill still needs the approval of the House and Senate.

This is one victory for the local tribe and other concerned citizens have advocated for an off-island cleanup.